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Finding the Best Bits around the world!Sun, 03 Feb 2019 17:53:01 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.4Skiing in Morzine and Avoriaz, Francehttps://bestbitsworldwide.com/skiing-in-morzine-and-avoriaz-france/
https://bestbitsworldwide.com/skiing-in-morzine-and-avoriaz-france/#commentsWed, 30 Jan 2019 17:59:23 +0000https://bestbitsworldwide.com/?p=11303I truly believe the silence is what I love about winter. Traipsing through the snow-covered hills of the Vallée de la Manche just outside the Morzine ski resort in the Savoie Mont Blanc region of France, we couldn’t hear a thing except the crunching of show under our feet. In my opinion, this was the most luxurious ending of a long weekend spent skiing in Morzine. Jumping into a 30°C pool at our hotel, La Bergerie, right after was pretty fabulous as well. Skiing in Morzine and Avoriaz is really why the crowds make the journey. Less than an hour and a half from from Geneva airport, Morzine is the perfect short ski holiday for the Brits. We left Heathrow at 7:00am and were in Morzine by […]

]]>I truly believe the silence is what I love about winter. Traipsing through the snow-covered hills of the Vallée de la Manche just outside the Morzine ski resort in the Savoie Mont Blanc region of France, we couldn’t hear a thing except the crunching of show under our feet. In my opinion, this was the most luxurious ending of a long weekend spent skiing in Morzine. Jumping into a 30°C pool at our hotel, La Bergerie, right after was pretty fabulous as well.

Skiing in Morzine and Avoriaz is really why the crowds make the journey. Less than an hour and a half from from Geneva airport, Morzine is the perfect short ski holiday for the Brits. We left Heathrow at 7:00am and were in Morzine by 11:00. You can grab your skis and be on the slopes by 12:00 and ready to eat tartiflette with a view of the Alps.

I learned very quickly why, although there may be a slew of other ski resorts that might be just as convenient, everyone who knew I was off to Morzine, got that envious look in their eyes. It truly is a special place. There is a sense of warmth you receive from all who greet you, as if this is the beginning of a long relationship, even as a first timer. Morziners just assume you will return. Why wouldn’t they? The combination of renaissance Morzine and modern Avoriaz hovering in the mountain above, the diverse selection of restaurants, the charming, homey hotels, and, of course, the great skiing and winter sports accessible just footsteps away from the center of town are all indicators of why you would keep coming back.

Our Home in Morzine

Two of the guardians of Morzine are Eric and Caroline Marullaz-Monné, owners of La Bergerie. Caroline’s family has been welcoming visitors to La Bergerie, their hotel right in town. Eric’s look of astonishment when I asked where the lockers were for our ski stuff told me everything. It’s just not the kind of place where you would need lockers. This is a family – one where return guests outnumber the new, where you grab your own room key after Eric and Caroline have gone to bed, and where the breakfast is a feast of homemade jams and honeys.

Although technically they have no restaurant, they will even make dinner for your children if requested. Nothing you could wish for won’t be provided, if it is in their power. Still, there is very little that would make your experience any better – roaring fires, huge terry towels and robes, down pillows, and views to die for. What makes it feel so special is Eric and Caroline’s assumption that once through the door you are part of their family. Don’t miss sampling Eric’s fabulous Swiss wine collection!

Skiing in Morzine

As anyone who reads my blog knows, I am not the best skier, having begun way too late in life. When you are battling the fear of heights and death by falling over a cliff, technique goes out the window and it’s tough to progress. That has been my excuse until skiing in Morzine. Don’t get me wrong; you can still find many fantastic red and black runs, but for someone who is not as confident shushing at speeds over 5 mph, Morzine is the ski resort of your dreams. The Blue runs are perfect for the tentative skier! They are wide without worrying you are going to lose control and fall down a ravine. Even the narrower runs are tree-lined and picturesque, making the whole experience joyful, instead of stressed induced.

Madeline, my wonderfully patient instructor, was ecstatic when I was able to progress from 5 to 7 mph. (FYI – she was born and bred in Morzine, assuring us she would never live anywhere else. We even bumped into her entire family skiing down the slopes!) There are even blue runs back to the village, so you can feel you are like any other seasoned skier, visiting both the ski resorts of Les Gets and Morzine without ever leaving a blue slope!

Night Sledging in Morzine (USA: Sledding)

If skiing is really not your thing, there are so many other ways to enjoy the snow, some more heart-stopping that others. Night sledging (or sledding as we Americans say) is pretty high on the thrill scale. Heading down the same blue runs you may have thought were easy on skis can seem a bit hairier when you are heading down feet first on a small bit of plastic. After you master the breaks, you can glide down at your own speed and experience sunset over Savoie Mont Blanc, something you usually can’t do on skis or a snowboard since the lifts shut after 4pm. Indiana Adventures hosts these evenings, and it’s a mixed bag of families, millenials and couples. After a short safety chat, a few millennials took it to the extreme and never looked back, convinced it was an Olympic sport. No need to worry; we were always accompanied by three guides – one in front, one in the middle and one bringing up the rear – plus a emergency services person at all times. It was a blast, and now that I know how it’s done, I would do it again the next time. If the snow blowers are on, be prepared to get your hair matted! You end right at the bottom of Pleney, where a Vin Chaud at Tremplin can warm you up again.

Snowshoeing

Skiing has its place, but the reason I keep returning to Savoie Mont Blanc is the snowshoeing. Not only is it an insane workout, similar to running on a beach in summer, snowshoeing can as vigorous or super easy as you want it to be, depending on how you feel that day. Feeling like modern day explorers, you shimmy under snow-covered branches, step over fallen trees, and follow animal tracks – deer, rabbits, and other woodland creatures that hide themselves when they hear the crunch of your footsteps. You are alone with your guides and don’t need to avoid the speedy snowboarders or impatient red-run headed skiers who swerve around you to get to the next thing. The only harm you can do to yourself is by slipping and falling in the deep snow – which can also be kind of fun too!

Tremplin, at the foot of the Pleney Gondola – great for people watching!

Eating and Drinking

Eating and drinking are all part of the fun of a weekend skiing in Morzine. The question is not where to eat, but how much cheese are you prepared to consume. Don’t recoil in horror, you lactose-intolerants,! Morzine has a thriving local community so there is more than just Savoyard restaurants in town. Meat eaters and vegans alike have loads of options.

If you are an onion soup eater, start your weekend at Tremplin, located directly at the bottom of Pleney Gondola. Sit yourself directly under one of the heaters outside and watch the skiers race down the mountain and and hop right back up the gondola. You’ll want to eat up, strap on your skis and join them. The soup might stop you though – don’t expect the “traditional” rubbery cheese stuck to the top of your onion soup. The Morzine way is to enjoy the soup on its own with bread and cheese on the side. Their local cheese is way too good to just melt on the top of soup. Saying that, it’s more than acceptable to plunk both the cheese and the bread into the soup and let it melt anyway!

If you are looking for fondue and all the other Savoie specialities, I can highly suggest La Grange. Their own version of fondue is made special by adding in ceps that add a distinctive woodsy saveur to it. Make sure you request a sip of their homemade spiced rum before you leave – Christmas in a glass. On the mountain, Le Vaffieu is the place to go. Easy to get to whatever your level; you can even walk there! If you don’t want tartiflette, have their homemade vegetable soup (with cheese and bread on the side, of course). Come hungry as the portions are gigantic!

Bec Jaune is for those who have had enough of vin chaud and fondue and want a beer and items made from actual green vegetables. (More on their beer later!) A salad at La Dez’Alps in town could also make you believe, after three days, that food exists without a cheese option. Their burger was one of the best I’ve had in Savoie Mont Blanc, thanks to the seeded bun, definitely not your normal bun-of-the-mill!

For a more refined evening, La Chamade takes local ingredients and puts a modern twist on them. Local lake fishes, foraged mushroom filled amuse-bouches, lamb stew – a much more sophisticated menu for those who are ready for a change. You will be tempted by the divine aroma of the cheese fondue as it passes, so save room for their cheese course. Do not expect the usual table-side cart. La Chamade takes it to another level and built an entire room dedicated to cheese – from around the corner and around the world.

I stuck to only local ones and had my choices of dozens. I wish I had time to return to sample all the other ones I missed!

Avoriaz Ski Resort

I’ve left Avoriaz for the last even though you can ski both Morzine and Avoriaz in the same day. If your definition of a ski resort is somewhere where you can get away from it all, then head right up the mountain to Avoriaz and stay there. High atop the mountain above Morzine, Avoriaz sits blending in with its surroundings. Blink and you could almost miss it. If it’s a cloudy day, the resort is hidden away as if it doesn’t even exist.

There’s magic realism at play here in a place where there no cars, denizens dancing in the streets and the only way in and out is either by gondola, skis or horse drawn carriage. One day in Avoriaz, and I was bewitched. Easy to forget that it emerged out of the imagination of ski legend Jean Vaurnet, also of the sunglasses fame. Pre-Vaurnet, shepherds watched over their flock by day during the long summer hours before heading back down the mountain to Morzine.

Vaurnet had other ideas. Having grown up in Morzine, he was a child of the slopes and returned to town with a gold metal in tow from the 1960’s Olympics. Looking up, he thought, “let’s put a ski resort up there,” and it was done. He wanted this resort to be different from the others – we know it now as “sustainable.” Heating was to be fuel-free, no cars were allowed, and, most importantly, the architecture itself would blend in with its landscape.

Skiing in Avoriaz is a dream, from the green baby slopes to the near impossible black Swiss wall, to cross-country to ski-touring and the views are outstanding, especially on a day as sunny as ours.

On your way back down the mountain from the top of Avoriaz, stop off one of the blue runs to buy cheese from the local farm, La Ferme de Seraussaix, that sits next to the slope. It’s open both summer and winter = offering respite – and cheese – to all who pass.

There is only one road in for visitors with luggage, and that road ends in a car park outside of town. Leave your car there and then load up your bags into the taxis waiting outside. By taxi, I meant horse-drawn sleighs.

Head to your chalet, apartment or the Hôtel des Dromonts. As of now, there is only one hotel in town, and what a hotel is it! Opened in 1967, the edifice is actually not level, but you can’t tell until you get indoors. The floors are all on different levels and it’s all a bit Willy Wonka. The interiors reflect its swinging 60’s beginnings and couldn’t be more on trend.

It was all quiet for a few years, until the film festival came to town. From Steven Spielberg to Luc Besson, all most famous directors and their entourages descended on Avoriaz and with them, their fans. Since the 1970’s, Avoriaz has been loved by skiers and snow-bunnies alike. They have tarted it up since the 60’s, but kept its original decor, added a Pure Altitude spa, and now it’s hipper than hip.

Lunch was spent outside at La Cabane – one of the many of the restaurants that line the slopes – listening to live singers crank out American songs with their French accents. I only wish that former resident Johnny Halladay were alive to join in.

As I the sun got lower, and I put on my Vaurnets, I toasted to Jean and the town he built above Morzine. If you blink, you might miss it.

NB: I am not forgetting bars in Morzine – vin chaud, shots, spiked hot chocolate are everywhere. Bec Jaune and two cocktail bars are changing the drinking landscape. To find out more about these, you’ll have wait a few weeks for the Morzine episode on Lush Life podcast!

]]>https://bestbitsworldwide.com/skiing-in-morzine-and-avoriaz-france/feed/1The Ultimate 2-week trip to Guyana – Sponsored Bithttps://bestbitsworldwide.com/the-ultimate-2-week-trip-to-guyana-sponsored-bit/
https://bestbitsworldwide.com/the-ultimate-2-week-trip-to-guyana-sponsored-bit/#respondThu, 17 Jan 2019 20:33:58 +0000https://bestbitsworldwide.com/?p=11291If you’re the kind of person who loves to travel off the beaten path, then Guyana is the perfect destination for you – explore virgin rainforests and discover unknown cultures, new cuisines and thrilling adventures. Guyana is just the place to switch off from city life and return with stories and experiences to last a lifetime! Is 2 weeks enough? Two weeks covers the essentials of Guyana – adventures from the coast and mountains to the rainforest and savannas, a few hikes, a daylong cruise, an adrenalin pumping safari, the spectacular Kaieteur Falls, and staying at a working ranch or unwinding at a riverside resort. If you time it right, you can hit the Rupununi Rodeo as well. Day 1 – Explore the Best of […]

]]>If you’re the kind of person who loves to travel off the beaten path, then Guyana is the perfect destination for you – explore virgin rainforests and discover unknown cultures, new cuisines and thrilling adventures. Guyana is just the place to switch off from city life and return with stories and experiences to last a lifetime!

Is 2 weeks enough?

Two weeks covers the essentials of Guyana – adventures from the coast and mountains to the rainforest and savannas, a few hikes, a daylong cruise, an adrenalin pumping safari, the spectacular Kaieteur Falls, and staying at a working ranch or unwinding at a riverside resort. If you time it right, you can hit the Rupununi Rodeo as well.

Day 1 – Explore the Best of Georgetown

Fly into Georgetown and settle in at your hotel. You have options ranging from high-end modern hotels to heritage boutique establishments. Step out for a city tour and lunch with Chef Delvin Adams at his home-style, Backyard Café. Explore the Stabroek Market, the Seawall, Botanical Gardens, lighthouse and museums and soak in the city vibes. Reserve the night to check out the many hotspots of the city like the Bistro or the Duke, which is known for its lively Wednesday night karaoke sessions.

Day 2 – Boat the largest river in Guyana

Head early out of Georgetown to the village of Parika and take a boat ride among the 365 islands that dot the mighty Essequibo River. Even though you cover only a fraction of its 1,014 km journey, a day on the river provides ample time to see the islands, forests, beaches and villages that lie along its path. Stop at Leguan, Hogg Island, Fort Island and Bartica islands to get a glimpse of Dutch forts and buildings and life along the Essequibo.

Day 3 to 9 – 4X4 Safari in the Pakaraimas

Start a weeklong trip through the Pakaraima Mountains in a 4WD, a week before the Easter weekend. Since this is an annual event, you need to book ahead with Rainforest Tours. Make sure you carry ample food, water, a tent and your hammock, as this will be an ‘Outdoors 101’ experience! High mountains and deep valleys with lush rainforests push the adventure to new levels. At nights, the cavalcade of cars and bikes stops in different far-flung villages. You can hang your hammock on a tree, or camp by a waterfall. The safari ends in Lethem, just in time for the exciting Rupununi Rodeo.

Day 10 & 11 – Experience Ranch Life

The Rupununi region, where Lethem is located, is the perfect base to explore the many ranches in the region. Get a closer look by staying at an active ranch and participating in vaquero (cowboy) duties. You can learn your vaquero skills at southern ranches at Dadanawa, Manari or Sawarab Mountain. Hikes, giant anteater watching, and birding are other staples for your time here.

If you come at Easter, the highlight is the Rupununi Rodeo. Expect nothing less than an exciting two days of vaqueros showcasing their skills on bareback horse and bull riding, barrel races and lassoing techniques. At night, everyone lets their hair down for a party. Dress up in cowboy hats and boots, and blend right in. The Rupununi Rodeo has a fair-like atmosphere with lots of local cuisine, drinks, local artists and even rides for children.

Day 12 & 13 – Explore Nature Trails

Leave Lethem and visit the Karanambu Eco Lodge, one of the best eco lodges of the country. This was home to world-renowned conservationist, Diane McTurk, who made this the hub for river otter rehabilitation activities along with several other sustainability projects. Diane’s family celebrate her legacy offering the same experience and insight for wildlife lovers. The Rupununi River trip along the lodge is a must-do experience.

Guyana is famous as one of the few places on earth that is covered by virgin rainforests. Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned wildlifer, the country promises to leave you amazed. Wildlife spotting and birding opportunities near Karanambu are some of the best in the country. You will want to step out into the wilderness by day and night and come back with your own great stories of seeing Black Caiman, Giant River Otters, the Capybara, Giant Anteaters and if you’re lucky, perhaps even a Jaguar. Stay two full days at Karanambu, or you can hop to Atta Lodge for different experience. At Atta Lodge, the Canopy Walkway, built over 100 feet of trees, is a great pick for both birders and nature lovers. The outstanding colours of the birds visible from the canopy is sure to keep your fingers busy clicking your camera.

Day 14 – Visit Kaieteur Falls

Fly from Atta Lodge via Fairview airstrip to Georgetown and take opt for the perfect climax to your adventure. Kaieteur Falls is an absolute essential. From Georgetown you can reach the waterfall via a small Cessna plane that needs to be pre-booked and fly to the Kaieteur National Park. The 741 feet tall waterfall is sure to make it onto your list of ‘best sights ever seen’. This half day activity includes a two-hour nature walk and can be expanded to a full day which includes island time at Baganara Resort. Real thrill-seekers can extend their tour and take the 5-day overland trek to get to the falls, but you will have to make more time for that and book in advance.

For many more trip ideas, check out the itineraries on the Guyana Tourism’s website.

Vitals:

When do I go and how do I get there?

The dry season is from September to April and is an exciting time to visit Guyana. The weather is generally great! And over the holidays like Christmas and Easter, people are in a relaxed mood and if your timing is right, you get to experience unique events and festivals – the best of Guyanese life.

Travel Better in Guyana: Guyana is working hard to conserve its vibrant wildlife and ecosystems and protect its culture and heritage. We realize that it is often difficult to understand how you can support these aims and make a difference when you travel. That’s why we’ve set out to help you by creating Visitor Guidelines for Sustainable Travel. All passionate globetrotters, curious culture seekers, and bold adventurers are encouraged to do all you can to leave a positive impact on the people and places you visit in Guyana.

]]>https://bestbitsworldwide.com/the-ultimate-2-week-trip-to-guyana-sponsored-bit/feed/0Two days in Moscowhttps://bestbitsworldwide.com/two-days-in-moscow/
https://bestbitsworldwide.com/two-days-in-moscow/#commentsThu, 20 Dec 2018 21:55:09 +0000https://bestbitsworldwide.com/?p=11191Anyone versed in The Three Sisters, Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s work, knows the passion Olga and Irina have in getting to the big city. “To Moscow, To Moscow, To Moscow”…”Quickly to Moscow”…not to be there is a life “without poetry, without meaning.” What is it about the Russian capital that was, and is, so poetic that, without visiting, life would have no meaning. Luckily, I had the chance to spend two days in Moscow to discover why it invoked such passion from not only Chekhov, but also Dostoevsky, Pushkin, and Tolstoy. When the stalwarts of Russian literature heap praise on a city expectations can run high. I am glad to say that Moscow was not a disappointment and everything I thought it would be – […]

]]>Anyone versed in The Three Sisters, Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s work, knows the passion Olga and Irina have in getting to the big city. “To Moscow, To Moscow, To Moscow”…”Quickly to Moscow”…not to be there is a life “without poetry, without meaning.” What is it about the Russian capital that was, and is, so poetic that, without visiting, life would have no meaning. Luckily, I had the chance to spend two days in Moscow to discover why it invoked such passion from not only Chekhov, but also Dostoevsky, Pushkin, and Tolstoy.

When the stalwarts of Russian literature heap praise on a city expectations can run high. I am glad to say that Moscow was not a disappointment and everything I thought it would be – luxurious, romantic, monumental, and modern! Every Moscow restaurant, bar, hotel and cultural sight we visited in only two days made me want to return “quickly to Moscow.”

LUXURIOUS MOSCOW

TROIKA 2018

Journeying to Moscow by troika is not the most practical way to go in this day and age, but Aeroflot’s business class could qualify as just as luxurious, as well as, a bit faster and loads warmer! Even as we settled into Aeroflot’s uber-comfy Business Class seats, I knew everything in Moscow was going to be slightly larger than life. Normally there isn’t much difference between Economy and Business on short flights, except perhaps a hot meal. Although the flight is only 3:30 hours, our seat was almost a fully-reclining, the food was restaurant quality and we all received our own ipad with all the current movies and tv already downloaded. They even gave us a little parting gift of Russian tea!

FYI: When you arrive in Moscow, follow the taxi signs, and then, next to the information booth, there is a yellow cab company. We used that one and it cost about £12 to get into town. Friday traffic is dreadful so be prepared for a long journey. If you are unsure of any of this, have the hotel arrange a car to pick you up.

OUR DACHA IN TOWN

Set on one of the most famous streets in Moscow, Tverskoy Boulevard, the Intercontinental is a reminder that Moscow is alive and kicking in the 21st century. Slick and modern, our hotel room was the perfect spot for seeing over the roofs of Moscow – making counting the Seven Sisters, the Stalinist Skyscrapers that dot the skyline, super easy. All the mod cons I expect in a luxury hotel were aplenty: down pillows, lush towels, and great hair dryers. What made the Intercontinental special was the service. The concierges were fabulous – they talked us through everything we could do and more, and followed up with us to see how we enjoyed it! Very importantly though was the bar which makes a fabulous Old Fashioned. Also make sure to order Russian favorites, fruit-filled blinis and cheesy syrniki, for one of your breakfasts!

SHOPPING IN MOSCOW

Once the State Department Store, GUM (Glavnyi Universáľnyj Magazín) is now ironically the home to the most luxurious brands in the world. Hermes, Fendi, Gucci, Burberry and the like all have a home in GUM. Restaurants and cafes were packed with weary shoppers ready to rest before starting all over again. GUM was all decorated for the holiday season and most of the shoppers were too young to remember the days before the name changed from Gosudarstvennyi (state) to Glavnyi (main).

ROMANTIC MOSCOW

A RESTAURANT INSPIRED BY A SONG

Some would say that the crooning of a 1960’s era Frenchman would make you fall in love with anything. Gilbert Bécaud had everyone dreaming of the hot chocolate served in the famed Cafe Pushkin off Red Square. Unfortunately for those seeking refuge from the cold, Café Pushkin was a figment of Bécaud’s imagination. Not until after Perestroika did Café Pushkin appear on the Moscow restaurant scene and is now an institution.

Our first Moscow dining experience had to be this once mythical restaurant. We did not sip the legendary hot chocolate in the cafe downstairs, but dined on all of Russia’s famous dishes in the atmospheric library upstairs. We were sure Boris Godunov might appear at anytime.

I was transported back to my days in New York when I would dine at the Russian Tea Room after concerts at Carnegie Hall, but this time I was in Russia for real! Caviar, borscht, beef stroganoff, homemade pickles, dumplings, all accompanied by the requisite vodka martini, delighted us! After all, we were in Russia.

MONUMENTAL RUSSIA

Beyond the foreboding red walls of Red Square lies the Kremlin, translated as the fortress inside a city, originally the Tsar’s home away from St. Petersburg. Never has it ceased to be the seat of Russian power. The Spasskaya Clock Tower greeted us as we passed the authoritative architecture of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses back in time to the world of the Tsars. It seems as if they got it backwards when translating Kremlin as it seemed to be a city inside a fortress.

A myriad of onion-domed cathedrals circle Cathedral Square – the main square inside the Kremlin. Five in all, each cathedral may seem similar with their icons and chandeliers, but each had its important purpose. The Assumption Cathedral saw the Tsars crowned, the Archangel Cathedral was where the Tsars were buried and the Annunciation Cathedral was the private chapel to the Tsars.

Hidden away in the Grand Kremlin Palace are the Armoury and the Diamond Fund. A museum that holds over 4000 objects can be daunting especially if you want to linger over almost every item. So pick the ones that mean something to you! For me, it was the objects made by master jeweller Fabergé. I made a beeline to those delicate, artistic wonders of pure heaven. (No photography was allowed inside!) Still, those are not the only fabulous jewels, trinkets, and silver on view. Everything is luxurious beyond comprehension. Within the museum are housed the official royal coaches. There is something to be said of the days pre-Uber. No one makes a vehicle quite like these any more.

RED SQUARE & SAINT BASIL’S CATHEDRAL

You’ve seen it so many time you feel you know it, but it’s not until you are in the middle of Red Square with the Kremlin on one side, Saint Basil’s on the other, GUM on the next and with Lenin’s Mausoleum never letting you forget who’s boss. It is the beating heart of Moscow, if not Russia itself. Ceremonies, coronations and concerts, parades, protests and Paul McCartney have all happened here under the watchful eye of the multi-colored domes of Saint Basil Cathedral, the most iconic building in Red Square.

The biggest surprise was that St. Basil’s Cathedral was technically eight smaller churches within one central church, giving it a maze-like feel inside. It actually was almost demolished by Stalin and thank goodness a few risked their live to stop it being razed. Red Square would not be the same without it.

Moscow Metro Stations

The various metro stations throughout Moscow are imbued with monumental Soviet Moscow design. Although originally planned before the revolution, the metro was part of the Stalinist propaganda machine and officially opened in 1935. As the Russian nihilist and one of Lenin’s favourite writers, Nikolay Chernyshevsky stated, “art is no use unless it serves politics” and, in most of the original stations, you can hear those words reverberating loud and clear. Here are few not to miss and their highlights:

Mayakovskaya Station – don’t miss the “24 Hours in the Land of the Soviets” themed ceiling mosaics

Belorusskaya Station – each mosaic tells of Belarus’s within Soviet history

Novoslobodskaya Station – you can’t miss the fabulous stained glass windows of workers – we even found one for an architect!

Kievskaya Station – Like Belorusskaya station – but this one tells the story of Ukraine.

Ploshchad Revolyutsii Station – statues wherever you look – make sure to rub the nose of the dog (there are many) for good luck!

Komsomolskaya Station – the most glamorous of all – with fabulous chandeliers!

MODERNIST MOSCOW

Melnikov House

Touted as one of the best shopping streets in Moscow, Arbat Street may only be of interest to those wanting tourist tat, especially Russian dolls, and architects. It is also very close to Melnikov House, one of the quirkiest pieces of architecture from the Stalinist era. Although associated with the Constructivists, Melnikov was definitely doing his own thing. He had made enough money working on civic projects that he could design his perfect house. A honeycomb of diamonds and circles all encased in white, Melnikov’s house was lucky enough to not be demolished or taken away from its owner by the government. Melnikov was able to live there without any problem until his death. You have no idea how excited the Cypriot was to visit it! NB: You have to book to see the inside and the tickets go very quickly. We missed them. The tour is in Russian only but at least you can putter inside and hope they might speak a little English.

Delicatessen

As we had the Imperial Russian meal the night before, we wanted to see where the modern Muscovites ate. So on a snowy night, we walked through Moscow to find Delicatessen – not an easy task. You have to know which alleyway to duck into and find your way through a carpark and then find the sign that guides you down the stairs – but it’s worth it! Two seats were waiting for us at the bar and we were lucky to get them because in the next half hour there was not a seat to be had! Sergey Pushkin (yes really!), the famed bartender there, tempted us with amazing cocktails. Be warned, there is no menu – you just order a drink you know or have him make one up for you.

Also, the food is insanely inventive and delicious. I forwent the horse meat tartare for homemade potato chips with bacon, golden crab on eggplant chips with wild herbs and jelly, and cauliflower cacio e pepe. Of course, we had to try their deconstructed baklava for dessert and the Cypriot gave it his nod of approval.

We finished off our two days in Moscow with homemade cherry liqueur and a boisterous and touristy Nostrovia – which we were then informed was never said by locals! Our next trip, we will make like locals, clink our glasses and say “Выпьем за то, чтобы у нас всегда был повод для праздника – Vupjem za to, chtobu u nas vsegda bul povod dlya prazdnika (May we always have reason for a party)!”

]]>https://bestbitsworldwide.com/two-days-in-moscow/feed/4Small Cities of Kentucky, USAhttps://bestbitsworldwide.com/small-cities-of-kentucky-usa/
https://bestbitsworldwide.com/small-cities-of-kentucky-usa/#respondWed, 28 Nov 2018 20:16:09 +0000https://bestbitsworldwide.com/?p=11135I may have been birthed in New York and bred in Pennsylvania, but, in another life, I know I was born with a Kentuckian soul. Handling a horse by four years old and drinking bourbon by forty might not be the only requirements for feeling that Kentucky spirit race through my veins, but I think it puts me at least halfway there. Heading back to the airport after a week exploring the state, I have truly fallen for the small towns of Kentucky. Each one of the following is only a day trip from Louisville or Lexington, but imbued with its own identity, food and folklore, all brought together by one commonality, Bourbon! I wasn’t prepared to learn so much about my birth nation’s history, […]

]]>I may have been birthed in New York and bred in Pennsylvania, but, in another life, I know I was born with a Kentuckian soul. Handling a horse by four years old and drinking bourbon by forty might not be the only requirements for feeling that Kentucky spirit race through my veins, but I think it puts me at least halfway there.

Heading back to the airport after a week exploring the state, I have truly fallen for the small towns of Kentucky. Each one of the following is only a day trip from Louisville or Lexington, but imbued with its own identity, food and folklore, all brought together by one commonality, Bourbon! I wasn’t prepared to learn so much about my birth nation’s history, and meet those who have made the world better from their home base of Kentucky.

(credit: Hotel Covington)

Covington – Willkommen

Covington hugs the Ohio River at one of Kentucky’s most northern spots. An easy hour and half drive from the center of Louisville, I would definitely plan to spend the night or you would miss staying at one of the best hotels in the state. Lying in the shadow of Cincinnati, Hotel Covington would be my choice to stay whether my work brought me to Ohio or Kentucky.

John Coppin moved his dry-goods store into this seven-story building in 1906. At the time, it was the state’s tallest building and he transformed it into the most important luxury department store in Kentucky. Today, it’s been transformed into the Hotel Covington. As I checked in, a jazz trio welcomed me into the chic, modern, buzzing entrance, flanked with a long bustling bar. The rooms were spacious and light, with my requisite down pillows, huge towels and strong hair-dryers, with an added bonus of a selection of bourbon in every room!

(credit: MeetNKY)

Due to its large influx of German immigrants to the USA, Covington was the home to the Bavarian Brewing Company, the first brewery in the country. Although it closed long ago, the main street in town is still called Mainstrasse and you can grab a bier and bretzel at bars and restaurants on the street, named appropriately Strasse Village Pub and Strasse Huis. If you are sticking to American food, don’t miss farm-to-table Bouquet on Mainstrasse – start with the New York Sour Cocktail, their award winning cocktail, and end with the Bourbon Poached Pear.

Speaking of New York – one of the most iconic New York City sights unarguably has to be the Brooklyn Bridge. Before building this most iconic of bridges, German immigrant John Augustus Roebling was down in Kentucky planning its precursor to span the Ohio river, linking Cincinnati to Covington. At the time it was built, Covington was second largest city in Kentucky and the bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

(credit: MeetNKY)

Don’t forget you can start the B-Line at the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar in Covington. The B-Line is a dedicated route in Northern Kentucky for Bourbon enthusiasts. Grab your passport and set about to hit all the stops along the way.

Newport – Gangster’s Paradise

Newport can be described in one phrase – Vegas before there was a Vegas. It’s hard to imagine this small town in Kentucky as the gambling capital of the USA. Our guide on the Newport Gangster Tour assures us it was. At the height of its popularity, there were more than 30 illegal casinos within the confines of a few blocks. Frank Sinatra sang here – need I say more? Prohibition just fueled the fury and, thanks to the Ohio River situated steps away, bootleggers could smuggle in goods with help from the easily-bribed town officials!

George Remus, aka King of the Bootleggers, was the topman for short time, but, a veritable Who’s Who of Gangsters joined him here to take advantage of these ill-gotten gains. Red Masterson, Dutch Schultz, Meyer Lansky all owned casinos in town, but there was little to no competition between them as everyone was making so much money. The original Flamingo and Tropicana casinos originated right here in town. The fun ended in 1963 when the Feds arrived and shut down all the casinos. Air travel replaced rail and Las Vegas became what it is today.

Iconically the inventor of the Tommy Gun, the gangsters’ gun of choice, was born in Newport.

Burlington – The Real Kentucky Fried Chicken

Wherever you are driving next, do not miss lunch at Tousey House Tavern in Burlington. Their fried chicken is considered some of the best in the state and that’s saying a lot in a state that made the dish a household name. Not only is the food spectacular, but the building itself is a prime example of Federalist architecture built in 1822. Burlington, also known as Porkopolis to locals, due to its historic German immigrant population. They brought their wurst and stayed. Don’t be scared to try Goetta from the menu. If you are a Pennsylvanian, you’ll know its closest relative, Scrapple. If not, let’s just say, it’s a melange of pork, oats, and spices, mashed up, steamed and then fried. If more fried food is what you’re after, don’t miss their Fried Green Tomatoes. Round out your meal with Kentucky Beer Cheese and pretzels, hot coleslaw and, of course, mashed potatoes. It all goes down so easily with a flight of Bourbon, so rest well before getting back on the road.

A short 15 minute drive from the Erastus Tousey House leads you to the Boone County Distilling Co. Book a tour and walk off some of your lunch while seeing this young distillery at work. It prides itself on being the ancestor of William Snyder who once had the largest distillery in the nation and the first to open in Boone County, Kentucky since Prohibition. After one sip, I bet you can’t leave without a bottle of their Bourbon Cream – a mix of heavy cream and Bourbon.

Georgetown – Mucking In

It may be tiny, but Georgetown is a must stop on any trip through Kentucky. The historic centre of Georgetown includes over 200 buildings on the National register of Historic Places. Most of the shops are locally owned with nary a chain store to be seen. Elijah Craig (of Bourbon fame) was the founder of the town, so you know you will drink, and eat, well!

Right outside of Georgetown, you are in the Horse Capital of the World and there are two farms that just can’t be missed.Old Friends Farm for Retired Thoroughbreds is my kind of heaven. Over the past 15 years, Michael Blowen, former Film Critic of the Boston Globe, has been saving former thoroughbreds from being destroyed. As a young editor, he was taken to the racetrack and fell in love with every aspect of the thoroughbred industry, even secretly working with a horse trainer in the early hours of the morning before heading to the office. Upon learning that these magnificent beasts, who were past their prime, were literally being killed off, he felt he had to take action. Beginning with one paddock and one saved horse, Taylor’s Special, he has grown Old Friends Farm to more than 136 acres and has rescued over 175 retired horses. Take a tour of the property and meet the horses who played Seabiscuit in the film, as well as, all the other former thoroughbreds whose sole job is to munch grass and lounge around looking beautiful.

Thoroughbreds are tattooed on their inside upper lip when they are born. If you ask nicely some of them will show you their tattoos! Make sure you call ahead as the tours are by appointment only!

The other farm not to miss is also owned by another transplant to the area, just a little further away than Boston was. Sheik Mohammed of Dubai has a passion for horse racing. Godolphin at Jonabell Farms proves how seriously this lifelong racing enthusiast, and owner of the most thoroughbreds in the world, takes his sport. Golodphin is the luxury hotel for active thoroughbreds – the stables are the horsey equivalent to the Stafford.

The property is also spectacular and the horses are in exquisite shape, demanding the most expensive stud fees in the world. His horse have won hundreds of races, but he has yet to have birthed a Derby winner. I am sure it is in the cards. Sheikh Mohammed’s dedication to the sport and its future is unquestioned. He has even created a program for those who might want to pursue a career in the thoroughbred industry – a fully-funded two years in which students study every aspect of horse racing and breeding around the world.

Owensboro – Blue Moon of Kentucky

Time for twanging. The sound that is so iconic in country music was born in a little green and white clapboard house outside of Owensboro, Kentucky. The fast-flying fiddle, high pitched mandolin, free-flowing 5-string banjo, bass and guitar are the only ingredients allowed if you are making traditional Bluegrass Music, according to its founder Bill Monroe. The genre came to be named for his band, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, and took off from his very first concert at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The tiny house up from the main road on Jerusalem Ridge is Bill Monroe’s birthplace. Tour this museum first before going back down the hill to a larger building that houses his memorabilia. Try to time your visit so you can catch a Saturday night concert at the neighboring Rosine Barn Jamboree. Eat barbecue, drink bourbon and dance all night to Bill’s most famous hits, including Blue Moon of Kentucky.

(Credit: Alex Morgan)

The same day you visit Bill Monroe’s birthplace, it would be a shame to miss Owensboro, the home of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum. The Museum has just opened its new premises, making it the most comprehensive museum of the genre that started country music as we know it today. Don’t just visit the museum, but take a long walk on the riverfront and gaze cross the Ohio River to Indiana. If you have time, pop into the quirky Owensboro Museum of Science & History on East 2nd Street, then make your way back to the museum stopping into a few of its local shops, including Peachtree Antiques and Byron and Barclay, the hippest clothing store in town.

Make sure you are there two nights so you can eat at two of Owensboro’s most famous restaurants – The Miller House and the incomparable Moonlite BBQ. A traditional Sears-Roebuck prefab house, The Miller House is now known for its bourbon bar, purported to be one of the largest in the world. The food is fantastic as well.

(credit: Visit Owensboro)

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is an institution, renowned for its massive buffet, including Barbecued Mutton (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it) and Banana Salad (another one you have to try, it’s surprisingly light!). Come hungry – very! Just a few of the buffet selections are ribs, fried chicken, salad bar, potatoes every style, creamed corn, and, let’s not forget the desserts, including pecan pie, chocolate pecan pie, and banana pudding. No bourbon here so you’ll have to wash it down with Kentucky beer. Can you guess which of our presidents stopped by? William Jefferson Clinton. There is also a shop in case you want to bring back some Burgoo – a Kentuckian classic!

So if you are heading to Louisville or Lexington – check out one of more of these small cities in Kentucky. You’ll be as captivated as I was, plus you might win the Miss Owensboro Pageant!

Thanks so much to www.kentuckytourism.com for organizing this trip and giving me the opportunity to fall in love with the small cities of Kentucky. All my opinions are my own!

Based on 2 people travelling on the 4th March 2019 with United Airlines from Edinburgh £1195 per person or United Airlines from Heathrow £1259 per personincluding Hertz car hire for the full duration with insurances and taxes pre-paid. To book, call Travelplanners on 020 3542 8888.

]]>https://bestbitsworldwide.com/small-cities-of-kentucky-usa/feed/0A Long Weekend in the Savoie Wine Regionhttps://bestbitsworldwide.com/savoie-mont-blanc-wine-region/
https://bestbitsworldwide.com/savoie-mont-blanc-wine-region/#respondMon, 29 Oct 2018 08:00:14 +0000https://bestbitsworldwide.com/?p=11084Let it be in your stills and in your storms, Fair Lake, in your cavorting sloping sides, In the black pine trees, in the savage rocks That hang above your tides; Le Lac by Alphonse de laMartine Most of you have probably never heard of Alphonse de Lamartine – the French poet enchanted by the Savoie Wine Region. He was not only a poet who loved this area, but a political force who spearheaded the abolition of slavery and the death penalty in France. The “Lac” he gifted with its own poem is Lac Bourget which sits in the middle of the Savoie Wine Region and is the largest lake in France. After exploring, the region with her châteaux, Michelin stars, charming towns and, of […]

]]>Let it be in your stills and in your storms,Fair Lake, in your cavorting sloping sides,In the black pine trees, in the savage rocksThat hang above your tides;

Le Lac by Alphonse de laMartine

Most of you have probably never heard of Alphonse de Lamartine – the French poet enchanted by the Savoie Wine Region. He was not only a poet who loved this area, but a political force who spearheaded the abolition of slavery and the death penalty in France. The “Lac” he gifted with its own poem is Lac Bourget which sits in the middle of the Savoie Wine Region and is the largest lake in France. After exploring, the region with her châteaux, Michelin stars, charming towns and, of course, the local wines, you too might be writing poetry describing the perfect weekend you enjoyed by the lake.

Getting to the Savoie Wine Region

Hiring a car is a must, but always be safe – you will be tasting wine! We flew into Geneva Airport as it gives you the opportunity to drive through Annecy – one of the prettiest towns to start your few days in the Savoie wine region. There is Chambéry airport which puts you a little closer to the action if you want to forego Annecy.

Eating and Strolling along the Lac Annecy

This region of France has the most Michelin stars outside of Paris, so we planned our arrival to be in Annecy at lunch time. We chose the Brasserie Brunet, run by Chef Laurent Petit who has won two Michelin stars for his restaurant Le Clos des Sens in Annecy-le-Vieux. The Brasserie Brunet is more casual, but this brasserie is anything but common.

We were quickly introduced to the grapes that would be our lunch and dinner partners during our weekend ahead: Jacquère, Altesse and Mondeuse. Jacquère had previously been poopooed by the vinerati – a favorite of the ski-bunnies who shushed their way through Chamonix and were seriously fond of fondue! Now it’s being taken seriously. Light on alcohol, it’s fresh and not too fruity and can be drunk with every food, including tartiflette. There is a special place in my heart for Altesse (or known as Roussette de Savoie) because its home of origin was Cyprus, at least that is how the rumor goes. Charlotte of Cyprus, who married Louis of Savoy in 1459, brought her favorite wine with her to France. It’s a more full-bodied white than Jacquère. That leaves us with Mondeuse, the sole red of the bunch. With a bite that some may call spicy, you either love it or hate this young wine. I love drinking local wines, so was pleased with drinking Mondeuse with all my meaty dishes!

As the summer had not quite left, we began with Gazpacho served with a goat cheese, followed by a gorgeous dish of hot and cold mushrooms. The main course was a stunning piece of Lieu Noir, a local fish from the lake, and then a pear crumble to finish this divine lunch. As Savoie produces over 10,000 tonnes of apples and pears, I was delighted to see them in my dessert! All accompanied by the wines of the Savoie region.

After lunch, take the time to walk through the lovely town and enjoy its canals. Follow them along until they open out to Lake Annecy. Stroll around the Jardins de l’Europe, the park that sits in front of the lake, and don’t miss the Pont des Amours where both French and foreign visitors pose for selfies on this iconic footbridge.

The rumor is that if you kiss your love on the bridge, as the clock strikes midnight, you will be together forever!

Walking through back through town, if you stop anywhere, stop at Pierry Gay’s cheese shop. He is always ready to speak to anyone who enters – we bumped into him as we was coming back from doing an errand and he lured us in with promises of Tomme de Savoie. He won’t let you leave without showing you his cheese cellar. Gaze from above as you literally watch Savoie cheeses aging. Although he won the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (Best Worker in France) in 2011, the shop was founded in 1935 by his grandparents. Have him take you on a tasting tour of only Savoie cheeses – you might be there all day!

The Château with an incredible garden

Right above the lake is the Château de Menthon, built over 1000 years old and owned by the same family throughout its history. Sitting above the lake, it guards over the entire landscape and the view is literally breathtaking. That is not the only reason to visit! In 2017, they planted a vegetable garden, but no ordinary vegetable garden, a permaculture garden.

Overseen by Hughes Devreis, who previously spent his days in Corporate Marketing, the garden is completely natural – as in no agricultural input, no pesticides, no fertilizer, and no mechanical intervention at all. Everything is used and there is no waste, the goal being to produce more energy than is used. Stop by to see if the shop is open – they sell everything from carrots and tomatoes to medicinal herbs.

The neighbors were quite noisy!

Our Home for the Night

High upon a hill overlooking the gorgeous Savoie vineyards sits the 14th Château de Candie which is now a hotel! Each of the 25 rooms has its own unique style, but all are luxurious and comfortable and have their own view of the Savoie Wine region! My room had a small balcony from which I could make out the town of Chambéry in the distance. Make sure to save one dinner of your weekend for their fine dining restaurant, L’Orangerie. You can dine outside or in, but make sure you save room for the cheese selection. You can also arrange massages in your room – the ultimate luxury!

A Tour through the history of the Savoie Wine Region!

Book a morning with Bernard Vissoud, Savoie wine specialist! Off we went right into the vineyards with Bernard leading the way. Standing among the grapes looking out over the region, Bernard relayed us with tales of landslides, battles and clergy all playing a part in the history of wine-growing in Savoie.

The vineyards cover 2400 hectares (circa 6000 acres) spread out among four departments: Savoie, Haute Savoie, Isère, and Ain. There are 4 AOP (appellation d’origine protégée – meaning good wine!) labels and 22 crus. Savoie also holds the French record for the number of grape varieties and in Savoie, that’s 23! 80% of those are white. He can tell you much, much more, but the wines you will be drinking again and again are the White Jacquère and Altesse wines and the Red Mondeuse.

He also brought along a few Savoie treats for us to enjoy with our wine. You guessed it – cheese! This time we were eating the award winning Tomme de Chèvre, the Tomme de Savoie and the St. Mont des Alpes. He then sat us down for a coffee and a few freshly baked Rioute – a hard savory, anise-flavored biscuit that resembles the wicker ties that hold the grapes on the vines. A treat you can only find here in Savoie!

Domaine DuPraz

Jérémy Dupraz may have come from a family of wine growers, but after summers spent picking grapes, that was the last thing he wanted to do when he graduated. After years in computer science, he got to a point in his career and thought – do I want to be behind a computer for the rest of my life? Needless to say, he answered no! Now he has opened his domaine to passing guests. We reserved a tour and lunch. Opening every bottle they make, we tried his Jacquère, Altesse and Mondeuse. Even vinters take their lunch seriously and the food was as delicious as the wine.

Dine in one of the Savoie Michelin Star Restaurants

Don’t miss eating dinner at one of the Michelin starred restaurants in the area. We drove around the lake to Le Lamartine restaurant overlooking Lake Bourget, France’s largest lake. For over 50 years, Chef Marin and his family have dedicated themselves to using as many local ingredients as he can. We dined on two different fishes from the lake, Trout and Laveret, and local L’Escargot that was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten.

Chambéry Market

On Saturday morning, we drove into Chambéry for its fabulous food market with the sole purpose of buying some of the cheeses we had been eating to take home with us. They vacuum pack everything, so ask for it sous vide! Make sure you also don’t leave without Génépi, Beaufort or Reblochon flavored saucissons as well! If you are peckish, La Forge does a great brunch. There is no menu as everything is made that day from what they find at the market!

Getting on the Lac to see The Church of Kings

To get to the other side of the region, we took a boat across Lac Bourget from Aix-Les-Bains to see the Hautecombe Abbey. Built in the 12C, the Abbey is the resting home of the Savoie Royal Family from Count Humbert III in the 12th C to the last King and Queen of Italy in the 20thC. (Read my other post for Savoie Royal Family). The beauty and grandeur of it would be missed if you didn’t see it from the lake. Its impressive architecture only gets more beautiful the closer you come to it.

Chanaz – one of the prettiest towns in the Savoie Wine Region

Either head back to Aix-les-Bains by boat or arrange for your car to be driven around the lake to meet you! Drive straight to one of the most adorable villages in France – Chanaz. A mill town sitting on the side of Savière canal that leads to the Rhone River, Chanaz is just too picturesque for words. Tour the canal, sit by the canal and have coffee, just spend a little time here, soaking up its cuteness!

Domaine Edmond Jacquin et Fils and the St. Romain Chapel

Our next stop was to try wines at the Domaine Edmond Jacquin et Fils in Joncieux. Before the tasting began, Patrice Jacquin happily guided us through his vineyards up to the St Romain Chapel. From the chapel’s high perch, you can see far and wide to the vineyards, the Rhone, and the Ain and Savoie mountains. Sitting inside the temple, there is a 5th Century stone found in this very spot. On the stone is written an inscription to the God of Wine! Even back then this was a haven of wine growing. We then spent the rest of the afternoon with Patrice toasting to the god of wine.

Château des Allues is more than a B&B

It would be such a shame to miss staying even one night at the Château des Allues. Labeled as a B&B, it’s so much more. Stéphane, the proprietor, was born to be a hotelier! He is inviting and warm and wants everyone to feel welcome. It’s hard not to love it here with its attention to detail and its comfortable and luxurious rooms. Every one of the XX rooms is individually styled with French country furniture, modern bathrooms and adorned with fresh flowers from Stéphane’s garden. Dinner is served to all guests at one large table so you feel that you are part of Stéphane’s family. All the vegetables are grown in the Château’s garden, and wines, cheeses and breads are from the region. In fact, as we were departing the baker delivered baguettes and Stephane wrapped one up for me and made me take it back to London as a parting gift!

A very short weekend to explore an historically rich region of France, but still I feel I have had a beginner’s education in the wines, food and culture of the Savoie Wine Region. One more trip and I might be calling myself a true Savoyard!

]]>https://bestbitsworldwide.com/savoie-mont-blanc-wine-region/feed/0Traverse’s Three and Samsung Photo Competitionhttps://bestbitsworldwide.com/samsung-three-competition/
https://bestbitsworldwide.com/samsung-three-competition/#respondWed, 01 Aug 2018 12:33:17 +0000https://bestbitsworldwide.com/?p=11061In July, I was invited by Traverse to participate in a photographic campaign with Three UK and Samsung Mobile using the fabulous camera on the Galaxy S9 and S9+. I snapped this very friendly face at a restaurant in Chinatown and, no, he was not on the menu! Only 50 influencers were invited to click photos around London or anywhere they may be in the world. The final photos were all displayed at The Herrick Gallery on Piccadilly for the public to enjoy. It was a privilege to be one of the 50 chosen and I now can’t believe how good a phone camera can be!